ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
UPSC
MoU signed between UPSC and Civil Service Council of Mongolia
MoU aims to facilitate sharing and promoting best practices through bilateral exchanges
A Memorandum of Understanding  has been signed between the Union Public Service Commission  and the Civil Service Council of Mongolia here today, to take forward the cooperation between the Commissions of the two countries.
The Chairman, Union Public Service Commission, Shri Arvind Saxena and Chairman, Civil Service Council of Mongolia, Mr. B. Baatarzorig signed the MoU in the presence of officers from Ministry of External Affairs  and Department of Personnel & Training .
The MoU primarily aims to facilitate sharing and promoting best practices through bilateral exchanges. The areas of cooperation include exchange of experience in use of Information Technology in examination processes, modern approach to public service reforms, exchange of resource persons for conducting specialised training programs, seminars or workshops in areas of mutual interest. The MoU also contains enabling provisions for such other cooperation as may be mutually decided in due course.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Investment approval for 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh by SJVN
(The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the investment for 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh by SJVN Limited, for an estimated cost of Rs. 2614.51 crore including Rs. 13.80 crore as budgetary support from Government of India for cost of enabling infrastructure. Ex-post facto approval is given for cumulative expenditure incurred amounting to Rs.246 crore till January, 2022.
Project cost of Rs.2614 crore included hard cost amounting to Rs.2246.40 crore, Interest During Construction  and Financing Charges  of Rs. 358.96 crore & 9.15 crore respectively. The revised cost sanctions for cost variations due to quantity changes  and time overruns due to the developer shall be capped at 10% of sanctioned cost.
Keeping in view the aims and objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the present proposal for setting up of 382 MW Sunni Dam HEP by SJVN shall provide various benefits to local suppliers/ local enterprises/ MSMEs and shall encourage entrepreneurship opportunities within the country besides promoting employment and socio-economic development of the region. The implementation of the project shall generate direct & indirect employment to about 4000 persons during peak construction of the project.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
India's Maritime Excellence Shines at World Maritime Day 2023 and GMIS-2023 Roadshow
In a grand celebration that brought together maritime industry leaders, government officials, seafarers, and stakeholders from across the globe, "World Maritime Day 2023" and the "3rd Roadshow-Global Maritime India Summit -2023" were jointly celebrated on September 29, 2023. The event, held in a hybrid format, marked a significant milestone in India's maritime journey.
Under the theme "MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on," as chosen by the International Maritime Organization  for 2023, the occasion served as a platform to highlight India's dedication to sustainable shipping practices.
The event was graced by the presence of Capt. B. K. Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of India and Vice-Chairman of the NMDC  Committee, who welcomed the distinguished guests and provided insights into the significance of the day. He also detailed the preparations for GMIS-2023, which saw participation from SCI ships around the world.
A heartfelt video message from Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary General of IMO, emphasized the importance of placing the human element at the forefront of technological and green transitions for a sustainable planet.
Union Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, conveyed his confidence in the transformative power of modern technologies within the maritime ecosystem. He called upon all maritime industry stakeholders to join India's journey of showcasing advancements in the GMIS-2023, scheduled for October 17th to 19th in Mumbai.
Shri Ash Mohamad, Deputy Director General of Shipping, presented the meticulous arrangements made for GMIS-2023.
As part of the celebration, Mr. Vijay Arora, Managing Director of the Indian Register of Shipping, chaired a panel discussion on this year's theme. Eminent panelists from various sectors, including Dr. Rajnish Kumar, Capt. Tushar Pradhan, and Mr. Mudit Mehrotra, engaged in discussions on sustainable shipping practices.
Mr. Bart de Jong, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasized the importance of the MARPOL convention and its evolving regulatory framework, with a focus on decarbonization. He stressed the role of partnerships and collaborations in achieving implementation and protecting the environment.
Shri. R. Lakshmanan, IAS, Joint Secretary , highlighted India's achievements and readiness for GMIS, showcasing India's excellence in the maritime field on a global scale.
Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping & Chairman, NMDC, Central Committee, shared insights into India's maritime advancements, including Maritime India Vision-2030. He outlined a roadmap for successful MARPOL implementation in India and invited stakeholders to witness India's maritime development at GMIS.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Prices of Alcohols used in manufacturing hand sanitizers capped under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
In view the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19  and concern of the logistics for COVID 19 management particularly during last couple of weeks and that prices of the alcohol used in manufacturing the hand sanitizers have been exorbitantly increased by the producers of such alcohol, Government has notified an Order under the Essential Commodities Act to declare price cap prevailing as on 05.03.2020 on the above alcohols up to 30th June, 2019. It has also notified that the raw materials used in manufacture of essential commodities are also essential commodities under the E.C Act. States can now ask the manufactures of these alcohols not to increase the prices of their produce without concurrence of the Central Government.
On these items, the States may now notify the Central order in their official Gazette, also issue their own orders under the EC Act to that effect and take necessary actions as per the situation prevailing in the respective States. Under the EC Act, powers of the Central Government have already been delegated to the States by way of orders during 1972 to 1978. The States/UTs, therefore may take action against the offenders under the EC Act and PBMMSEC Act.
The decision would empower the Central Government and States/UTs to regulate prices, production, sale, distribution, transport, movement, storage, information etc. of alcohols used in manufacturing the hand sanitizer as preventive measure to avoid infection from COVID-19, and to smoothen the sale and availability of these items and carry out operations against hoarders, speculators, profiteers, blackmarketeers etc. and those involved in contravention of the orders of Central Government and States/UTs in respect of the above alcohols. This will help the manufacturers of hand sanitizers to keep prices of their and product at reasonable and within the reach of the common people.
The Central Government has requested the States/UTs to advise the manufacturers of deodorants to manufacturer alcohol based hand sanitizer spray with ethyl alcohol as main content on mass scale in the same plant which may manufacture this alcohol based sanitizer at very low cost and make it available in the market at the earliest. The States/manufacturers of deodorants may contact drugs controller, Daman & Diu to resolve the issues related to technology. The States have also been advised to ensure licences and approvals for the same on top priority basis as this item would be an additional product in the production line, it may be endorsed on the drugs and cosmetics licence of such Deodorant manufacturers. The States are also advised that manufacturer of this product may also be given excise permit for use of Ethanol Alcohol as raw material.
The States have also been advised that the existing manufacturing units of alcohol based sanitizer be encouraged to increase their capacity. Ministry of Environment has allowed increase in capacity by 50% without further environment clearances.
President's Secretariat
President of India condoles the passing away of Shri P.N. Bhagwati
(The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of former Chief Justice of India, Shri P.N. Bhagwati.
In a message to his wife, Smt. Prabhavati Bhagwati, the President has said, “I am sad to learn about the passing away of your husband, Shri P.N. Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India.
Justice Bhagwati was a distinguished and eminent jurist. He made immense contribution to the judicial and legal system of our country. Considered a pioneer of judicial activism, he will always be remembered for his path breaking judgements as well as for introducing Public Interest Litigation in India, which transformed the nation’s legal landscape. As a recognition of his contribution in the field of Indian judiciary, Justice Bhagwati was awarded Padma Vibhushan. He will remain an inspiration for the members of the legal fraternity.
Kindly accept my deepest condolences and convey the same to other members of your family. I pray to the Almighty to give you and your family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss”.
Special Service and Features
Teachers’ Day observed at IISER Thiruvananthapuram
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research  Thiruvananthapuram fraternity observed the teachers’ day today . Dr. V. P. Joy, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala, was the Chief Guest. The august event was presided over by Prof. J. N. Moorthy, the Director of the institute.
By a rendering of Upanishads, Dr. Joy highlighted his notion of furnishing minds with knowledge, reasoning, rationality, and value system. During his speech, he emphasized the relevance of a holistic approach towards the learning and pursuit of science beyond utilitarian demands, and urged the academic fraternity to integrate value system with scientific inquiry in their pursuits. Resorting to the idea of cosmic calendar, Dr. Joy stressed on the need for researchers to possess modesty in their approach to science. Success is defined by contributions, and not by accumulations, he noted. In a philosophical tone, he likened this to the sun radiating and serving the planet with incessant energy. He mentioned about the relevance of spreading rationality among the general public and urged the scientific fraternity not to shut themselves up in the ivory tower of knowledge, but to engage in scientific communication with the general public towards the creation of a better society. He viewed IISER TVM as an impeccable campus and wished that the region around is likewise transformed.
Dr. Joy also gave away awards to some of the faculty members of IISER TVM for their commendable teaching contributions.
Ministry of Education
Cabinet approves continuation of National Apprenticeship Training Scheme for next five years
Stipendiary support of Rs. 3,054 crore to apprentices who undergo apprenticeship training under National Apprenticeship Training Scheme
Approximately 9 lakhs apprentices will be trained by industry and commercial organisations
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today has accorded its approval for stipendiary support of Rs. 3,054 crore to apprentices who undergo apprenticeship training under National Apprenticeship Training Scheme  of Ministry of Education for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 .
Approximately 9 lakhs apprentices will be trained by industry and commercial organisations. NATS is a well-established scheme of Government of India which has demonstrated to enhance the employability of students who have successfully completed the apprenticeship training.
The apprentices who have completed graduate and diploma programme in Engineering, Humanities, Science and Commerce will be given stipend of Rs.9,000/- and Rs.8,000/- per monthrespectively.
The Government has approved an expenditure of more than Rs. 3,000 crore during the next five years which is about 4.5 times the expenditure made during the previous 5 years. This increased expenditure on apprenticeship is in line with the thrust which National Education Policy 2020 has given to apprenticeship.
In keeping with the Government emphasis on "SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas, --SabkaVishwas, SabkaPrayaas", the scope of NATS has further been expanded to include students from Humanities, Science and Commerce besides students from engineering stream. This scheme aims to raise the standards of skill level by strengthening the skill ecosystem and as a result, will provideemployment to approximately 7 lakhs youths in the next five years.
The NATS will provide apprenticeship in the emerging areas under 'Production Linked Incentive'  such as Mobile manufacturing, Medical devices manufacturing, Pharma sector, Electronics/Technology products, Automobile sector etc. The scheme will also be preparingskilled manpowerfor connectivity/logistics industry sectors, identified under GatiShakti.
Ministry of Communications
Booking of Parcel on wheel flagged off in Kolkata
Kolkata , 25th January, 2022
India Post has been serving the nation since the last 167 years, standing unabated in its dedication and undying passion of rendering postal, financial and government services, in the remotest corners of the country. It takes various initiatives so that people are served properly.
North Kolkata Postal Division has launched Mobile Parcel Booking Van which was flagged off by Smt J. Charukesi, Chief Postmaster General , West Bengal circle on 25th January, 2022 from Yogayog Bhawan, Kolkata. Sri Niraj Kumar , Postmaster General, Kolkata Region was present in the occasion . India post took this initiative as a part of celebration of 73rd Republic Day. Smt Charukesi gave the first booking receipt to the concerned customer. This parcel van will visit Central Kolkata and North Kolkata for booking of parcels at doorstep and processing on the same date.
CG/CB/
(Visitor Counter : 42
Ministry of Home Affairs
MHA approves entitlement of air travel to all personnel of CAPFs
In a significant decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the entitlement of air travel on Delhi-Srinagar, Srinagar-Delhi, Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Jammu sectors to all the personnel of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces. The decision will immediately benefit approximately 7,80,000 personnel of the CAPFs in the ranks of Constable, Head Constable and ASI who were otherwise not eligible earlier. This includes journey on duty and journey on leave, i.e; while going on leave from Jammu and Kashmir to home and return.
This facility is in addition to the existing air courier services for CAPFs that have been steadily extended in all sectors by the MHA to help the jawans cut down on travel time during their journey to and fro from home on leave.
In Jammu and Kashmir Sector, it may be recalled that Air Courier Service for CAPF jawans was approved for the Jammu-Srinagar-Jammu sector.
Subsequently, the Service was extended to cover 1) Delhi-Jammu, 2) Jammu-Srinagar, 3) Srinagar-Jammu and 4) Jammu-Delhi sector in Dec 2017. The number of flights were further extended in Dec 2018.
In addition, air support is provided from IAF as and when required.
Prime Minister's Office
PM thanks Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese for hosting the next Quad Summit in Sydney
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi thanked the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese for hosting the next Quad Summit in Sydney, Australia.
Responding to the tweet of Australian PM, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Thank you @AlboMP for hosting the next Quad Summit in Sydney which will bolster our efforts to ensure a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
I look forward to my visit and discussions on strengthening Quad collaboration across domains to advance our positive agenda.”
Ministry of Electronics & IT
National AI Portal  celebrates its second anniversary
Booklet ‘AI for Everyone’ Released
Fireside Chat held on the topic ‘How do we ensure that India’s AI adoption benefits the bottom of the pyramid’
The second-year anniversary of 'National AI Portal ' is celebrated on May 30, 2022.The National AI Portal is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and IT , National e-Governance Division  and NASSCOM. The portal focuses on creating and nurturing a unified AI ecosystem in the country to drive excellence and leadership in knowledge creation to develop an AI-ready robust workforce for the future and use AI to foster economic growth.
The portal was launched by the Hon’ble Minister for Electronics and IT and Communications on May 30, 2020. Since its inauguration, the portal has been visited by more than 4.5 lakh users with 1.2 million page views. The portal currently has an impressive repository of 1151 articles on AI, 701 news stories, 98 reports, 95 case studies and 213 videos. It also has one of the best databases on India's AI ecosystem featuring details of 121 government initiatives and 281 startups.
Over the past two years, the portal has played a crucial role in evangelising and nurturing the AI ecosystem through numerous impactful initiatives such as the lab2market, Women in AI Roundtable, AI patent report, Responsible AI handbook for startups, Responsible AI Startups survey, podcasts, and the AI Standards.
One of the main focuses of INDIAai's upcoming efforts is on AI Literacy. INDIAai released a book on the basics of AI titled ‘AI for Everyone’. The booklet aims to provide free and open AI literacy to the community of young minds and new learners to enable them in their aspirations beyond the digital divide.
The anniversary event covered INDIAai's past year's achievements and plans for the coming year. The virtual event featured a fireside chat between Ms Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM and Shri Abhishek Singh, President and CEO, National eGovernance Division .
Shri Abhishek Singh emphasized on the AI adoption, AI based voice enabled services, and AI based multi-lingual content delivery. He touched on the AI based solutions that are made operational by the Government and cited the impact and potential outcomes of MyGov Helpdesk, UMANG, Eligibility based discovery of services, etc. He shared that MeitY has released National Data Governance Framework Policy and pointed out the AI opportunities related to data, capacity building both within and outside the government, awareness and communication, and AI research.
Debjani Ghosh stressed on the inclusion and security as design principles for taking benefits of AI to the bottom of pyramid. AI can help professionals in a great way to save time from repetitive work to focus more on human centric work. She also talked about FutureSkills Prime and use of coding to learn new skills related to AI.
RKJ/M
(Visitor Counter : 2189
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Over 3 Lakh Women Provided Assistance Through 701 One Stop Centres in 35 States/UTs
One Stop Centre Scheme  being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development has provided assistance to over 3 lakh women so far. The scheme is being implemented across the country since 1st April, 2015 through State Governments/ Union Territory  Administrations to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and in distress, both in private and public spaces, under one roof and facilitate immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of services including police, medical, legal aid and counseling, psychological support to fight against any forms of violence against women. Till date, 701 OSCs in 35 States/UTs have been operationalised.
In the prevalent situation created due to Covid pandemic, women who are in distress situation or affected by violence may contact the nearest OSCs for speedy assistance and services. The WCD Ministry has directed the Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all States/UTs and DC/DM of all Districts to keep One Stop Centres operational during the lockdown period with availability of all the basic material required for fighting COVID-19 like Sanitizers. Soaps, Masks etc.
As per scheme guidelines, for smooth functioning of the centres, the responsibility of appointment/ recruitment/ selection of empanelled agencies/ individuals to provide legal counselling/ Medical aid/ psycho-social counselling etc. lies with the district administration of the respective States/ UTs. The State/UT-wise details of sanctioned and operational OSCs are as under:
FUNCTIONAL ONE STOP CENTRES
|
|
Sr. No.
|
|
Name of State / UT
|
|
Number of OSCs Functional
|
|
1.
|
|
Andaman and Nicobar 
|
|
03
|
|
2.
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
13
|
|
3.
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
24
|
|
4.
|
|
Assam
|
|
33
|
|
5.
|
|
Bihar
|
|
38
|
|
6.
|
|
Chandigarh 
|
|
01
|
|
7.
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
27
|
|
8.
|
|
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 
|
|
02
|
|
9.
|
|
Delhi 
|
|
11
|
|
10.
|
|
Goa
|
|
02
|
|
11.
|
|
Gujrat
|
|
33
|
|
12.
|
|
Haryana
|
|
22
|
|
13.
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
12
|
|
14.
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir 
|
|
18
|
|
15.
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
24
|
|
16.
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
30
|
|
17.
|
|
Kerala
|
|
14
|
|
18.
|
|
Lakshadweep 
|
|
01
|
|
19.
|
|
Ladakh 
|
|
01
|
|
20.
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
37
|
|
21.
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
52
|
|
22.
|
|
Manipur
|
|
16
|
|
23.
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
11
|
|
24.
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
08
|
|
25.
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
11
|
|
26.
|
|
Odisha
|
|
31
|
|
27.
|
|
Punjab
|
|
22
|
|
28.
|
|
Puducherry 
|
|
04
|
|
29.
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
33
|
|
30.
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
04
|
|
31.
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
34
|
|
32.
|
|
Telangana
|
|
33
|
|
33.
|
|
Tripura
|
|
08
|
|
34.
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
75
|
|
35.
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
13
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
|
|
701
State/UT wise Directory of 701 Functional One Stop Centres is available at: https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/one-stop-centre-scheme-1
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
ACC Appointments
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following:-
- Shri Alok Kumar Verma, IPS  is transferred from the post of Director, CBI and posted as Director General, Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards for the residual period of his present term ending on 31.01.2019.
- As per the earlier arrangement, Shri M. Nageshwar Rao, IPS , Additional Director, CBI will look after the duties of the Director, CBI till the appointment of a new Director, CBI or until further orders, whichever is earlier.